Fattoria di Felsina "Fontalloro" Toscana IGT 2018
(Tuscany, Italy) - [JS 95] [VM 95] [WA 95] [WE 93] [WS 92]

Notes from the Winemaker:
Fontalloro is the most representative expression of Felsina’s Sangiovese.
Fontalloro grapes come from vineyards straddling the border between Chianti Classico and the Chianti Colli Senesi denomination. The vineyards lying within the Chianti Classico appellation are in the highest area of Felsina while those in the Chianti Colli Senesi are lower down (407-330 meters above sea level). With a southwestern exposure, the grapes are influenced by diverse soil compositions: on the Chianti Classico side the soil is stony and calcareous; on the Crete Senesi side the soil is sandy, loamy and silty with pebbles and marine sediments. First vintage 1983.

Tasting Notes:
Ruby red color with rich and intense tones. Variety of aromatic herbs accentuated with generous notes of tobacco and wet earth (dry earth, as well), black currant and licorice. The palate manifests good consistency of medium-smooth tannins to ensure the lengthy ageing. Rich structure and weight and elegant breed on the finish. Optimum cellar life in all vintages.

VINIFICATION:
After the quality-selected clusters are de-stemmed and pressed, the must is fermented and macerated in stainless steel for 16-20 days at 28°C and 30°C, with programmed punchdowns and daily pumpovers. In March-April, the new wine goes into new and into first used French oak barrels; after 18-22 months of maturation, the final blend is assembled, bottled, and ages in glass a minimum of 8-12 months.

Denomination: Indicazione Geografica Tipica Toscana

Varietal: 100% Sangiovese

Growing area: Poggio al Sole and Arcidossino areas

Vineyard density: About 5.400 vines per hectare.
Trading system: Bilateral cordon training system.
Harvest: Hand harvested in two phases, selecting the finest grapes.
Vineyard age: From the selection of the vineyards of the eighties were conducted thorough investigations to identify the most suitable parent plants at drawing grafting and replanting took place in the early 2000s.

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2018 Fontalloro is bright, floral and full of energy. In most vintages, Fontalloro is quite open, but the 2018 is especially nervy and taut. That won't be an issue in time, of course, but readers should plan on being patient. Sangiovese is so expressive here. A whole range of floral and savory accents linger on the close." - Antonio Galloni (Sep 2021) 

95 Points - James Suckling:
"A tight, fresh Fontalloro with dark cherry, chocolate and toasted oak. Some walnut, too. It’s full-bodied, yet polished and structured. Sort of shy. But this will develop really nicely with some bottle age. Drink after 2023." (Jul 2021)

95 Points - Wine Advocate:
"There is plenty of dark fruit at its core, but this wine also reveals dry tones of jarred oregano, grilled Mediterranean herb, crushed aspirin and graham cracker. The mouthfeel is pleasantly lean and silky, and perhaps the wine delivers more in terms of length than it does weight or texture. A little more bottle age should help flesh out and soften these results." - Monica Larner (Oct 2021)

93 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Forest floor, toasted oak and camphor aromas mingle with dark spice on this 100% Sangiovese. Enveloping and elegantly structured, the savory palate delivers ripe black cherry, raspberry compote, mocha and licorice framed in fine-grained tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced. Drink 2025–2030." - Kerin O'Keefe (May 2022)

92 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Black cherry and blackberry flavors are accented by earth, rosemary and tobacco in this sleek, incisive red, which is balanced and linear, with vibrant acidity driving the long finish, where a note of iron creeps into the mix. Sangiovese. Drink now. 3,750 cases made." - BS (Oct 2021)